Some people here might be wondering why I'm talking about automatic weapons and writing in the same sentence. Especially people who know me and my loathing for all things that require heavy artillery. So what on earth could compell me to write about automatic weapons and writing in the same sentence? Let me explain...

I'm a freelance writer. I do three types of writing:1. Writing that I love, 2. writing that I get paid for, and occasionally, 3. writing that I love that I also get paid for. The writing that I love to do (and that I occasionally get paid for) is the stuff that I wish I had more time for. Right now, I'm spending a lot of time doing the writing that I get paid for. Where do I find this work, you ask? I'll tell you.

Freelance sites. You know, the sites where people go and ask for someone to write something for them for ... whatever they are willing to pay. I frequent several sites, routinely bid on interesting projects, and I get work. A lot of work. Enough work to feed my family and I and pay the mortgage (most months anyhow). And this is where the whole automatic weapon thing comes in.

A few days ago, I bid on a contract to create some quizzes for a client. They asked for some samples of my work, as well as my "writing resume", so I put in a bid, and attached my resume and some quizzes I had created (and which had been published) for children's magazines. I figured that, according to the directions in the job ad, I had complied with the request of the clients. I checked the site a few times, noticed no activity and figured that the client hadn't chosen me. No big.

Today, I got an email from the marketing division of this site. They wanted me to provide this client with "sample health quizzes" with no guarantee that the client would purchase them. The client, they said, wanted people to submit health quizzes. My response to that letter:"I have provided this client with SAMPLES of other quizzes which I had created for other clients, relating to health (emotional health) and to culinary knowledge. The job description didn't say for me to write two health-related quizzes, nor were there specific directions on which health-related topic the client wanted to focus. There are millions of health topics I could work off of, but I'm not in the habit of writing "on spec" for a project like this. I'm a professional and I'm not going to waste my time on a quiz that might not be what your client wants. Your client needs to be more specific about what she wants. If she wants a quiz about superfoods, she needs to say so. If she wants a quiz about healthy exercise habits, she needs to say so. If she wants one relating to a particular topic, theme, issue, or relating to her blog, then it would be good if I had that information. Otherwise, I'm writing blind and that's a waste of my time and money." So ... back to the automatic weapon, and writing and why I'm using that analogy. When a client wants a writer to work with them, they need to have a clear idea of what they want. If they don't have that clear vision, it's impossible for the writer to create what they want. It's a frustrating experience that makes both the client and the writer unhappy and stressed. Not only that, however, it also makes it impossible for the writer to reach the client's TARGET AUDIENCE. Yes, see... there is a reason for that weapon of mass destruction. When it comes to writing, I am a "sniper." I don't use an automatic weapon and scatter my shot all over the field. I write to my target audience, to the audience that my client wants me to write to. Whether it's a stay at home parent who wants to lay off on the bonbons, the teenaged guy who wants to get his first job, or the executive who wants to improve his golf game, I write specifically to THEM and to their pains. I use laser accuracy to write to your market, whether you want a short article, a quiz, or an ebook. Whatever. That's MY job. So if you're a potential client, if you're thinking of hiring a writer, what should you know? You should know who your target market is. You should know their age, gender, education level. You should know whether they prefer chocolate ice cream or vanilla, whether they prefer summer or winter, and what they have for breakfast. When you can pin-point your target, when you can point to their pain and what problem you want to solve for them, you can share your vision with the writer you're going to hire. This makes it possible for your content to reach the right people, the people who are more likely to spend money with you later. Skip the scatter gun - give me my "rifle" anyday. Now I'm off to the range to practice my shooting... both hands on the keyboard!

Recently, something happened here at home that made me realize just how important perspective is. The local power company had notified us in advance that the power would be out for an entire day (okay 6 hrs, but you get the idea). I was entirely put out, I couldn't stay home to work that day, I had to get my dog to her sitter so she wouldn't be alone in the house with the alarm going off every ten seconds, and I had to go out for lunch rather than make my meals at home. And because of the inconvenience, I also opted to order in pizza for a dinner. That night, I spoke with my husband, who is on an internship in Tanzania (Africa) via Skype.

I related my traumatic day to him ... and he simply nodded and smiled. When I asked him about HIS day, he said "Oh, it's been three days without power here." He said it as if it was completely normal and natural that this should occur. And indeed, it is the natural state of things where he is. But rather than being all frustrated with his situation, he had managed to come to terms with his situation and adopted the Tanzanian mantra "Hakuna Shida" (no worries).

This revelation brought to mind how important it is for writers to examine the perspective of each of their characters in their stories. How, for example, would a typical North American view taking a shower, as opposed to someone who has lived in Kenya? How would someone who has lived through poverty view the person who is throwing away a steak because it's slightly over done? Perspective is important - and that character's perspective will shape how they interact with others and how they behave overall. In writing circles, this concept is sometimes called Point of View or POV. I have found some amazing writers who have used alternating or varying POV effectively in their stories. One of my faves is Polly Horvath's The Corps of the Bare Boned Plane. I hope you'll share with me some of your favorite stories involving alternating or interesting use of changing POV.

When you think about writers, what do you think about? Do you imagine someone who just has a story to tell? It could be a sad story, one with a happy ending, one that leaves you wondering "what if..." anything really. Do you imagine them to be someone who has an agenda? A purpose? A message? Do writers enlighten you? Inform you?Inspire you?What do they do? Not just for you, but for humanity? The reason I ask this question today is because of a post that I read earlier today by a self-proclaimed whistleblower. It really moved me to see how this one individual so eloquently wrote about his concerns for our country, our environment, our rights and our economy and challenged people to stand up for themselves and be counted. So I am asking this question of my readers. What do you think the role is of a writer? Do they have more than entertainment value in your life? Please share your thoughts on the role of writers. I'm interested to hear what you have to say...

Over the past few days, our region has been hit with uncharacteristic heavy snowfall and is now reeling from freezing winds from an arctic outflow. The kids have been home, and we've been lucky to be warm and toasty and dry inside.

Thinking about the snow and the arctic air, I couldn't help but think about times when my brain freezes and I just can't come up with the next thing to write. Most writers call this "writer's block."

I used to get really frustrated when this happened, but in the years since I started writing professionally, I have developed some tools to help me cope when I don't know what to write. I take a break from writing. You see, I spend more than 5 hrs a day in front of the keyboard writing. I get PAID to write. So when I reach that literary brick wall, I sometimes just have to step away from it for a little while. I might do dishes, prepare dinner, or fold laundry. I find that doing something totally unrelated to my writing can help spark my inspiration again.

Another thing I like to do is exercise, particularly walking, cycling or aquafit. Now, some of these exercises are more planned than others, but I do find that, the more that I exercise, the clearer my thinking is and also the stronger my writing is. What an interesting co-relation.

When I'm experiencing literary frustration with one project, I will often jump onto working on another project for a little while. It's been my experience that, when I am stuck on one project, simply switching gears and working on something else gives me enough of a break to be able to come back at it and see my project with new eyes.